Assan Ouedraogo has now been linked with a move to Liverpool and Everton in the summer of 2024 after a stunning start to the Bundesliga 2 season.
Schalke 04’s teenage midfielder, Assan is being linked with a move to the Premier League. Brighton, Liverpool, and Everton are said to be his suitors who are keeping tabs on the 17-year-old.
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The 2006-born midfielder has already made 9 appearances for Schalke in the second tier of German football.
He joined the club’s youth system in 2014 and has sailed through the ranks since. The German was handed his first competitive debut in the 5-3 defeat to Hamburger SV on the opening weekend of the 2023/24 season.
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Despite the defeat, the teenager scored a goal on his debut and became the youngest-ever goalscorer for Schalke. He was 17 years and 80 days at the time and surpassed the record held by Julian Draxler.
The midfielder is one of the most physically imposing players in the league 2 and stands at 6’3″. Bundesliga.com described him as:
“at his best when using his explosive pace and power to break the lines like Michael Essien did at his peak”.
Before bursting on the scene with the first team, he played for the U19s and scored 7 goals and had 2 assists in 13 games.
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Although his father, Alassane Ouedraogo represented Burkina Faso during his 16-year playing career, Assan has represented Germany at U16s and U17s.
Moreover, he helped the Die Mannschaft youth win the under-17s European Championships in July. However, he is still eligible to play for Burkina Faso in the future.
All praise for the 17-year-old
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After a great start to life in the first team, Schalke’s sporting director was quick to praise the teenager.
“He is a wonderful footballer with a lot of talent. He was integrated immediately because he is completely convincing in terms of his sporting ability.”
After his stunning debut, the Hamburger manager, Fritz Walter was full of praises for the midfielder.
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“With Assan, you have a real gem. Hats off! Good boy. A really good player.”
Now, as per Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool, Everton, and Brighton are among the Premier League clubs keeping an eye on Ouedraogo.
Moreover, clubs from overseas are set to have to pay roughly €20m for his signature from 2024 onwards.
Earlier this month, reports claimed Manchester United, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich were all interested in Ouedraogo. The youngster has previously been described as the ‘German Paul Pogba‘.
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